Shell re-loading apparatus



Jan. 14, 1958 L. s. CORCORAN SHELL RE LOADING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed March 29, 1954 LYLE S. CORCO/PAN:

IN V EN TOR.

Jan. 14, 1958 1.. s. CORCORAN ,8

SHELL .RE-LOADING APPARATUS Filed March 29, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 LYLES. CORCORA/V,

INVENTOR.

A ITORNEK Jan. 14, 1958 L. ,5. CORCORAN SHELL RE-LOADING APPARATUS FiledMarch 29, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 LYLE S. CORCORAN:

INVENTOR.

A TTORNEK SHELL RE-LOADING APPARATUS Lyle S. Corcoran, Hollywood, Calif.

Application March 29, 1954, Serial No. 419,374

16 Claims. (Cl- 86-23) The invention relates to apparatus for reloadinga previously fired shot shell. The apparatus will accommodate shells ofdifferent length as well as of different gauge or diameter. A fired shotshell may be reloaded and fired as many as three or four times byutilizing the apparatus of the invention.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a shell reloadingapparatus which will permit a great number of shot shells to be reloadedwithin a brief period of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shell reloadingapparatus which will accommodate the various operations which areinvolved in the process of reloading a shot shell and at the same timerequire a minimum number of adjustments and die changes in the overallprocess of reloading such a shell.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shell reloadingapparatus in which a decapping and re-priming mechanism is incorporatedin the shell reloading apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holding die for a shellreloading apparatus with means for guiding the packing wads which arepressed into the shells.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a shell reloadingapparatus a removable die for making the initial crimp in the process ofclosing off the discharge end of the shot shell.

Another object is to provide a novel process for fabrication of theinitial crimping die.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a shot shell reloadingapparatus a spring loaded mechanism in combination with a micrometertype adjustment device for accurately controlling the pressure impartedto the over-powder wad which is pressed into the shell into contact withthe charge of powder in the shell.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the pressure regulatingspring in combination with the loading plunger for temporarily anchoringthe crimping dies relative to the re-loading apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a re-loading apparatus anda combination shell and die holding tool, each with appropriate holdinglugs positioned in predetermined circumferential locations so that thedies which are utilized therewith are alternately anchored and re leasedfrom the respective re-loading apparatus and die holding tool byrotation of the dies a pre-determined number of degrees about their ownaxes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel combination shellholding and die holding tool for use with a shell re-loading apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination die and dieholding tool with a mechanism for temporarily anchoring the die relativeto the die holding tool in a pre-selected circumferential position ofadjustment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe ensuing specification and appended drawings in which:

zfilgfiid Patented Jan. 14, 1958 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of theshell reloading apparatus mounted in a single column type hand press;

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the reloading apparatus with theshell loading die mounted in one position in the shell holding tool;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2; with thevarious positions of the loading die superimposed in dotted linesthereon;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the wad guiding device shown in Figs. 2 and8;

Fig. 10 is a plan view partly in section of the shell holding tool;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view partially in section showing the detailsof decapping and re-priming the shot shell;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view, partly in section, ofthe initial crimping die;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged underneath view of the initial crimping die shownin Fig. 12 taken on the line 13-43 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view, partially in section, ofthe finish crimping die;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the shot shell prior to re loading;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view partly in section of a shot shell after ithas been completely loaded and sealed.

Referring to Fig. 1, I have shown generally the shell reloadingapparatus which includes a hand press, referred to generaly by theletter A, the decapping and re-loading unit, referred to generally bythe letter B, and the shell holding tool which is referred to generallyby the letter C. A series of dies are utilized in combination with thereloading and the shell holding units in effecting the complete seriesof steps which are involved in the reloading of a previously fired shotshell.

Units C and B function alternatively as die holders for supporting asizing and loading die D first at the lower end thereof and later at theupper end, for successive operations of sizing, loading and crimping, aswill be more fully described hereinafter.

In Fig. l the combination sizing and shell loading die, referred togenerally by the letter D, is shown anchored within the shell holdingtool C. This die is removable from the shell holding tool, such as whenthe crimping dies are used with the apparatus. The crimping dies E and Fwhich are shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14, are re movably anchored to theupper assembly B for effecting the necessary crimping operations. There-priming tool, referred to generally by the letter G, is removablyanchored to the base of the press A, as shown in Fig. 11, for installingthe fresh primer cap after the old one has been removed from the shell.

A. Press The press included a base 1 having a large bore therein inwhich the column 2 is anchored. A cap 3 is fixed to the upper end of thecolumn. A collar 4 is slidably mounted on the column and is actuated bymeans of the bell crank lever 5 and the connecting links 6, there beinga link on each side of the collar 4. The bell crank lever is generallymade up of the pivot rod 7 which is actuated by the handle 8. A pair oflevers 9 are anchored at 3 opposite ends of the pivot rod 7 (only onebeing shown in Fig. l). The links 6 are connected at their ends to thelever 9 by means of the pivot pins 10 and at their opposite ends to thebosses 11 and 12 on collar 4 by means of the pivot pins 13. The handle 8is of course actuated up and down relative to the base of the press formoving the collar 4 up and down relative to the column 2.

The cap 3 of the press has an outwardly projecting lug 14 with avertical threaded bore 15 (see Fig. 2) therein. The collar 4 has anoutwardly projecting lug 16 integral therewith, said lug having a bore17 (see Fig. 2) therein.

The base 1 has a shelf portion 18 and a boss 19 projecting B. Loadingand decapping unit Referring to Fig. 2 the loading and decappingapparatus which is mounted on the upper lug 14 of the press is comprisedof a die holding body 21 which has external threads 22 at one end and anexternally threaded nose 23 at the opposite end, the intermediateportion having external hand gripping surfaces 24. body has an axialbore 25 communicating with a counterbore 26 which in turn communicateswith a larger counterbore 27. The lower end of the bore 27 has integralholding lugs formed therein which are shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7,the position of these lugs being important. Referring to Figs. 2 and 6it will be noted that keeper lugs 28 and 29 are formed at the lower endof the holding body 21. Immediately above these lugs an annular chamber30 is formed. The diameter of this chamber may be the same as thediameter of the remainlng portion of bore 27. Immediately above thisannular chamber a second pair of keeper lugs 31 and 32 are formed.Viewing Figs. 6 and 7 it will be noted that the parallel side walls oflugs 31 and 32 are angularly displaced 45 about the work axis withreference to the parallel side Walls of lugs 28 and 29, the reason forwhich will be pointed out hereinafter.

An intermediate barrel 34 is threaded onto the end of body 21 and has abore 35 communicating with a counterbore 36. An annular chamber 37 isprovided near the upper end of the body 34 to accommodate a pin 38during rotative movement of a decapping rod 39 about the work axis, thepin 38 being anchored to the decapping rod 39. A micrometer thimble 40has a cylindrical internal wall with an intermediate threaded portion 41which is threaded onto the externally threaded end 42 of barrel 34. Thelower end of the thimble has a counterbore 43. The end wall 44 of thethimble serves to limit the upward travel of a plunger sleeve 45 towhich a cylindrical plunger head 46 is connected. The sleeve 45 near itsupper end has a longitudinally extending Z slot 47 formed with keepernotches 48 and 49 at its opposite ends. These notches extend in oppositedirections about the circumference of the sleeve 45 as shown in Fig. 2.The decapping rod 39 extends concentrically throughout the entire lengthof the bodies 21 and 34 and the thimble and is slidably and rotatablyreceived within the sleeve 45, the extent of rotation being limited tothe extent of the keeper notches 48 and 49. An aperture 35a (see Fig. 3)in the end wall 35b of body 34 permits the pin 38 to be withdrawn out ofthe annular chamber 37 and raised to the end of slot 47' and into notch48.

A considerable portion of the decapping rod at its lower or working end5% is of smaller diameter than the upper end 51 of the rod. The sleeve45 is internally threaded at 52 at its lower end into which the head 46is threaded. The head 46 has a cylindrical external surface and itsdiameter depends upon the inside diameter of the shot shell which isbeing reloaded or recharged, being such that the head 46, cooperatingwith The die holding sizing die D, will effect a truing or sizing of theshell wall. Heads of different diameters may be utilized to accommodatedifferent gauge shot shells. The head 46 at its lower end has a bore 53which is slightly larger than the diameter of the lower end of thedecapping rod so as to guide and maintain the concentricity of saiddecapping rod. The remainder of the head has a counterbore 54. Thecylindrical external surface of the sleeve 45 is concentrically guidedwithin the bodies 21 and 34 by the internal cylindrical walls of thebores 25 and 35 respectively, said bores being of the same insidediameter.

The sleeve 45 has a keyway 450 (see Figs. 3, 4 and 5) in its externalwall, said keyway extending lengthwise of the sleeve and parallel to itsaxis. The slot opens un restrictedly into the upper end of the sleeveand its lower end is adjacent an annular shoulder 55 formed on thesleeve. A set screw 45b has a shank portion 45c of reduced diameterprojecting into the keyway to permit axial movement of sleeve 45relative to bodies 21 and 34 while preventing rotation of said sleeverelative to the bodies.

The annular shoulder 55 abuts against the end face 551: of the dieholder 21 to limit the downward axial movement of sleeve 45 relative tothe bodies 21 and 34. A compression spring 56 is positioned around thesleeve 45 within the counterbore 36, said spring abutting at one endagainst the annular shoulder 55 and at its opposite end against theannular shoulder formed at the top of the counterbore 36. The functionsof the spring will be explained hereinafter. The spring may beapproximately two inches in length and capable of being compressedwithin about a one inch travel range. The external cylindrical surfaceof body 34 may have appropriate micrometer indicia 57 inscribed thereinthroughout a distance of one inch longitudinally of the body 34representing a pressure range of zero to lbs. The lower end of themicrometer thimble 40 has a circumferential scale 58 such which maycomprise fifty separate marks, inscribed thereon throughout its entirecircumference. Each complete revolution of the micrometer thimble 40relative to body 34 advances the end 59 of the thimble the distance fromone mark to the next mark on the scale 57 and represents a change offive pounds pressure being exerted by the spring 56. A partialrevolution of the micrometer thimble equal to the distance between twoadjacent marks on circumferential scale 58 represents a variance inspring pressure of one tenth of one pound. Consequently, by rotating themicrometer thimble down body 34 until a pre-determined scale reading isobtained, one can accurately control the number of pounds pressure to beexerted by the head 46 against the over-powder wad which is pressed intocontact with the charge of powder in the shell. This will be explainedmore fully hereinafter.

C. Shell holder Before the decapping operation can proceed, it isnecessary to thread the assembly B into the internally threaded bore 15in lug 14 of the press. until the lower end face 60. of body 21 is flushwith or slightly beyond the under surface of lug 14. The side walls oflugs 28 and 29, which are parallel to each other, are positioned so asto extend directly toward the front of the press (as indicated in. Fig.2). Then the lock ring 61 is tightened against the upper face of lug14.. The indicia 57 on body 34 will face directly forwardly.

The shell holding tool C is installed in position on lug 16 with itsshank 62 projecting through the bore in the lug 16' and having a nut 63tightened against the undersurface of lug 16 to firmly hold it in astationary position relative to lug 16, with its open face directedtoward the front of the press. Before commencing the decapping operationit is advisable to adjust the assembly B in the proper position in whichit is prepared for the subsequent shell loading operation.

This involves aligning the assembly B relative to the shell holding toolC. Shell holder C is of socket form, defining a die-receiving socketwhich has a mouth 64 (Fig. opening through the lateral wall of theholder. Viewing Fig. 2 it will be noted that the mouth 64 is positionedto face directly toward the front of the press.

D. Sizing and loading die The shell sizing and loading die D is fed intothe mouth 64, segmental lugs 65 which are formed integral with and atthe lower end of the die being disposed extending to the front and tothe rear to permit the side flats 66 to clear the side walls of themouth 64. The side walls of the recess in the shell holding tool areundercut to provide crescent shaped slots 67 (see Figs. 2 and 10) toreceive the lugs 65 as the die D is rotated within the shell holdingtool. A series of indicator indentations, preferably numbering eight,are arranged circumferentially about the lower end of the die D and arespaced equidistantly from each other. The indentation 68 may beconsidered as station number 1, indentation 69 as station number 2,indentation 76 as station number 3, and so on around the circumferenceof the die. Spring pressed balls 71 on diametrically opposite sides ofthe shell holding tool move into two diametrically opposed indentationsto temporarily anchor the die D in a selected position of rotativeadjustment relative to the shell holding tool. When the indentation 68is facing directly to the front, the die D may be removed from the shellholding tool, however, when the die is rotated one or more stations, thelugs 65 move into the undercut slots 67' to anchor the die relative tothe shell holding tool. A dovetail type slot 71a in the base of theshell holding tool, its side walls being parallel to the side walls ofthe mouth 64, is defined beneath overhanging lips 72 for the purpose ofengaging the rim 73 on the base of the shot shell, to anchor the shellwithin the shell holding tool. The shell can be removed from the shellholding tool, of course, by withdrawing it horizontally through the openfront end of dovetail slot 71a. The shot shell, however, is notinstalled into the shell holding tool at this stage.

When the die D has been inserted into the shell holding tool C and thenrotated two stations (until station 70 faces directly to the front),then the handle 8 of the press is slowly lowered causing the body of thedie D to move upwardly into the dieholder 21 of assembly B, the die Dbeing in what may be termed a neutral position relative to tool C,wherein the lugs 74 and 75 which are formed integral with and near theupper end of the die D, will clear the lugs 28 and 29 and will alsoclear the lugs 31 and 32 in the dieholder 21. The clearance position ofthese lugs 74 and 75 is shown in the dotted line diagram in Fig. 6 andindicated by the numeral 76. If the lugs 74 and 75 do not clear the lugsin body 21, then it is necessary to loosen the lock ring 61 and rotateassembly B slightly relative to lug 14 until the necessary clearance iseffected. When this has been done, then the lock ring 61 can bere-tightened against the upper surface of lug 14 and the set screws 77can be tightened against the lug 14. Likewise the set screws 78 (Fig. 1)can be tightened against the threads 22 of the body 21. When this isdone, it is possible to loosen the set screws 77 and remove the assemblyB from the press and later on the assembly B can be reinstalled in thepress for future shell re-loading operations without the necessity ofgoing through the preliminary adjustment steps, since the lock ring 61is already locked in the correct position on the threaded end 22 of thebody 21.

With the assembly B properly aligned relative to the shell holding toolC and properly adjusted for the subsequent shell re-loading operation,the die D can be removed from the shell holding tool C by simplyrotating it two stations until it is in the position shown in Fig. 2,then it may be withdrawn manually from the shell holding tool C.

6 Ope'rqtion-Decapping and repriming Viewing Fig. 2, the decapping rod39 is in the correct position for the decapping operation, with the pin38 being received in the lowermost circumferential notch 49. When thedecapping rod is in this position, the lower wad tamping end 50 of therod projects outwardly beyond the end face 80 of the head 46. A shotshell 81 is then inserted into the shell holding tool C until theannular lip 73 of the shell engages the closed end of the dovetail slot72. When this occurs the shell is automatically aligned concentricallywith the axis of the decapping rod 39. Manual downward pressure onhandle 8 raises the carriage 4 and with it the shell until the lower endof the decapping rod forces the previously fired primer 82 (see Fig. 11)out of the bottom of the shell. Then the new primer 82a is inserted intothe cup 83 of the primer loading device G and the subsequent raising ofthe handle 8 causes the shell to move downwardly until the new primerwhich is resting on top of the plunger 84 is forced into the opening inthe bottom of the shell. Thus the decapping and repriming operation isaccomplished in one cycle of downward and upward movement of the presshandle 8. It is desirable to decap and reprime a large number of emptyshells before proceeding to the next operation of reloading orrecharging the shell. When the decapping and repriming operation hasbeen performed on a large number of empty shells, then the apparatus maybe prepared [for the subsequent shell recharging operation.

The shell reloading operation A large number of empty shells now havingthe new primers inserted therein may have respective charges of powderpoured into them. A measuring device is used to assure that each shellreceives a pre-edetermined quantity of powder. Now the decapping rod 39is rotated slightly to the left (viewing Fig. 2) and is then retractedupwardly relative to the sleeve 45 until the pin 38 engages the upperextremity of slot 47, then continued slight rotation of the rod 39 tothe left is effected until the pin 38 is resting within the notch 48.With the decapping rod in this position the lower end of the rod isretracted within the sleeve 45 until it is substantially flush with orslightly inwardly beyond the lower end face 80 of the head 46. The die Dis now inserted into the shell holding tool C and is rotated onestation, for example, until station 69 faces directly to the front. Thenthe press handle 8 is lowered until the lugs 74 and come into engagementwith the internal lugs 31 and 32 in body 21. In this position of the dieD relative to the shell holder C the lugs 74 and 75 clear the lugs 28and 29 as is shown in Fig. '7 in the dotted line position of the lugs'74 and 75 as designated by the numeral 86. While holding the lugs 74and 75 in contact with the under faces of lugs 31 and 32, then the die Dis rotated back one station, for example until station 68 again'facesdirectly to the front, and now the lugs 74 and 75 are locked between thetwo sets of lugs 28 and 29 and 31 and 32. This position of the lugs 74and 75 is shown in Figs. 2 and 8 and is also shown superimposed indotted lines in Fig. 6 and indicated by the numeral 86a. In thisposition the die D is free to be withdrawn from the shell holding tool Cand this is done by raising the press handle 8, the die D remaininglocked to the assembly B.

One of the shells with its charge of powder is then inserted into theshell holding tool C and the press handle 8 is lowered until the shellis fully inserted Within the interior of the die D (this position isshown in Fig. 2). It is usually desirable to rub a small amount oflubricant on the outside of the shell to facilitate the insertion andwithdrawal of the shell from the several dies D, E and F. The insidediameter of the die D is such as to size to proper outside diameter thelateral wall of the shell, and during the loading operation the outsidediameter of the shell is maintained accurately by the die D. The dieDisnow rotated two stations by grasping handle 87 "7 and rotating ituntil stationv 70,. for example; is facing directly to the front. Inthis position they dieD is. locked to the shell holding tool C but thelugs 74 and. 75 are in a neutral position so. that the. die. D canbe.fully retracted from within the dieholder 21. The carriage, is thenlowered to retract the die. Now the. first wad (referred to in the.trade as. the over-powder wad.) is inserted and pressed withslightmanualpressure into the open upper end of the die D. The presshandle 8,. is then lowered again elevating the die D into. the dieholder21. The end face 80 of the plunger head 46 engages the wad and forces itdownwardly through the, dieD and on. into the open end of the shot shell81. In order to. assure that the wad is accurately guided, into. theopen end. of the, shot shell, I have provided at the upper end of thedie D a guide member 88 which consists of a plurality of spring fingers89 integrally formed with. and projecting downwardly from an annularflange. 90. The. detail of this member is shown in Fig. 9. The flange9.0 is received between the annular end face of the threaded collar 91and the annular end face of the. spacer bushing 92. The guide member 88can be adjusted. to a lower position within the interior of die D toaccommodate a shorter length shot shell by simply removing the collar91, the member 88 and the spacer sleeve 92. and then reassembling theparts by inserting the member 88 into the die first, then inserting thespacer sleeve 92 directly above it and then reinserting the collar 91.In this position the annular flange 90 of the member 88 will rest uponthe annular shoulder 93 formed in the internal wall of die D.

When the shell 81 has been pressed into the die. D

throughout its full length, the uppermost end, of'the shell projectsupwardly behind the spring fingers and the fingers thus assure that theover-powder wad is properly guided into the open end of the shellpreparatory-to being pressed against the charge of powder.

It is very important that a predetermined amount of pressure be exertedupon the over-powder wad as. it is pressed against the charge of powder.This is. accomplished by means of the carefully calibrated, spring 56and the micrometer adjustment device afforded, by the, thimble 40. If,for example, it is desired to exert 78 pounds of pressure against theover-powder wad in seating it against the charge of powder, it is onlynecessary to rotate the thimble 40 from right to left (viewing Fig. 2)until the. lower end face 59 thereof reaches the mark next beneath the 8on scale 57 (indicated by numeral 96,-see Fig. 2.).

Then the thimble can be rotated reversely (from left to right viewingFig. 2) until thirty markson scale 58 beyond zero are passed (each marksrepresent 1 pound. of pressure). 58 will be aligned with thelongitudinal, line 97 on. body 44 and in this position the end face 98.of the sleeve 45 is spaced a predetermined distance from theundersurface 44 of the thimble 40. As the press handle 8 is lowered, theend of the head 46 engages the over-powder wad 99V and presses it downinto the shot shell until. it engages.

the powder. When this occurs, the spring 56. commences to offerresistance to the further travel of the head and sleeve toward the endof the thirnble 40,v and at the moment the end face 98 of the sleeve:engages the undersurface 44 of the thimble, the spring 56 will have beencompressed to a point wherev it isv exerting a 78 pound pressure throughthe head 46 to the over-powder wad. Thus the amount of pressure whichis, imparted to the over-powder wad can be accurately controlled withinfractional pound pressure ranges by first setting the micrometeradjustment by rotating thimble 40 relative to body 34.

Now that the over-powder wad has been seated, the next step is to lowerthe press handle until the die D is clear of the dieholder 21 and thenadditional filler wads may be pressed into the openv end of the shotshell. There are usually two or more of these. These filler wads 100 Inthis position the number 30. on scale.

re pre sed: into he; hot s ell y fir in erting hem at the open end ofthe die D and then, lowering the press handle 8 until the bottoming ofthe filler Wad against the over-powder wad can be felt. Only lightpressure is exerted against the press handle in seating the filler wads,against the over-powder wad so as not to disturb the initial pressurizedseating of the over-powder wad. After the filler wads have been insertedinto the shotshell, then a measured quantity of shot 101 is poured intotheopen, end of the shell. If desired, the shot shell can be removedfrom the dieD before the shot is poured thereinto. In order to removethe shell from the die D, it is necessary to perform the steps aspreviously pointed out for locking the lugs 74 and 75 between the lugs28 and 29 and 31 and 32 of the dieholder 21. When this is done the die Dis in the proper position for being removed from the shell holding toolC and this is accomplished by simply raising the press handle 3, theshell 81 being anchored to the shell holding tool C is forciblywithdrawn from the die D. Now the die D can be removed from thedieholder 21 by simply rotating same manually until the lugs 74 and 75clear both sets of lugs 28 and. 29 and 31 and 32 of the body 21. Now thenext operation involves that of crimping or closing the end of the shotshell.

The crimping operations A large number of the shells which have beenloaded with the powder and the over-powder and filler wads may now becharged with a predetermined amount of shot 101 preparatory to the shellsealing or crimping operation. The sealing of the end of the shot shellinvolves two separate crimping operations. The star crimp starting die103 (shown in Figs. 12 and 13) is manually installed into the dieholder21 by guiding the lugs 104 until they clear the lugs 28 and 29 and thenrotating the die slightly until the lugs 104 are locked between thepairs of lugs 25; and 29 and 31 and 32 in the same manner in which theloading die D was locked therein. The web 109 which is formed internallyof the die 103 engages the end of head 46 and spring 56 is compressed tosome extent as the lugs 104 are locked between lugs 28, 29 and 31, 32thereby holding the die E within the body 21 under tension. The shotshell 81 with the charge of shot therein is then inserted into the shellholding die C and the press handle 8 is lowered causing the shell tomove up into the interior of die 103 whereupon the protruding radiallydirected die teeth 105 (which in section are generally triangular)engage the upper end of the shot shell forcing same to fold over so asto close off the previously open end of the shell. This crimping dieleaves a somewhat star shaped impression in the folded over flange, andthe six die teeth which are impressed into the flange serve to effect aneat folding under of the otherwise excess material which would bepresent in closing off the end of the shell. By raising handle 8 theshell which is anchored to the shell holder C is retracted from the die103 which is anchored to dieholder 21.

While the shell remains in the shell holding tool C, the initialcrimping die 103 is then manually rotated so that lugs 104 clear thelugs 28 and 29 and the die is then withdrawn from the body 21. Then thefinal crimping die F is manually inserted into and locked within thebody 21 in the same manner in which the die 1513 was inserted. The webin die F serves the same function as web 109 in die E. Then the presshandle is lowered until the shot shell moves into the die F and theupper perimeter of the shot shell is forced into the annular groove ordie cavity 107 thereby forming an annular bead 108 at the upper end ofthe shot shell. The shell is then retracted from die F in the samemanner as explained relative to die E. The die F is provided with afluid pressure relief passage 111 in the web portion 110.

This completes the overall operation of the reloadh ing of a shot shelland the shell is now removed from the shell holder C and is ready to beused in the manner of a. new shell. The finished product, the reloadedshell, is shown in Fig. 16, the shell being broken partly in section.

I claim:

1. In a shell sizing and reloading apparatus, in combination: a pressincluding a base, a column rising from the base, a support carried bythe upper end of the column and overhanging the base, a carriageslidable on the column between the base and the support, and rue-ans foractuating the carriage toward and from the support; a combined shellholder and lower die holder mounted on the carriage and having a dieholding socket formed with a locking recess and an undercut shellholding slot therebenea-th; a wad guiding die comprising a tubular bodyhaving its lower end receivable in said socket while enclosing a shellmounted in said slot, and having a lower lug engageable in said lockingrecess upon rotation of the die in the socket, whereby to lock the dieto said shell holder, said die having, above said lower lug, an upperlug projecting radially outwardly from its said tubular body; an upperdie holder of tubular form mounted in said support in coaxial relationto said shell holder and adapted to receive said die and its upper lugwhen said carriage is elevated, said upper die holder having internalkeeper means adapted to engage said upper die lug and, upon rotation ofsaid die to a position for release of its lower lug from said shellholder, to interlock with said lug so as to transfer the die from saidshell holder to the upper die holder, whereby a shell subsequentlysealed in said shell holder may be sized by upward movement thereof intothe die as carried by said upper die holder; said die being adapted toenter the lower die holder socket of the shell holder in a subsequentdownward movement of the carriage and to be transferred back to theshell holder upon being reversely rotated; and a wad seating plungercarried by said support in a position for reception into the shell insubsequent operation in which said die surrounds the shell and guidesthe wad.

2. A reloading apparatus as defined in claim 1, operable for a decappingoperation: wherein said wad seating plunger is tubular, and including adecapping plunger telescoped within said Wad seating plunger andretractable therein to an inoperative position from an operativeposition projecting below the lower end thereof.

3. A reloading apparatus as defined in claim 2, operable for areprirning operation: including a repriming tool carried by said basebelow said carriage, coaxial with said shell holder, and operable uponlowering the carriage, to insert a primer cap into the bottom of a shellsupported in the carriage,

4. A reloading apparatus as defined in claim 1, Where in said shellholder has a mouth opening from said socket and slot through its lateralwall, to accommodate horizontal insertion and removal of shell and die.

5. In a shell sizing and reloading apparatus, in combination: a pressincluding a base, a column rising from the base, a support carried bythe upper end of the column and overhanging the *base, a carriagesridable on the column between the base and the support, and means foractuating the carriage toward and from the support; a combined shellholder and lower die holder mounted on the carriage and having a dieholding socket formed with a locking recess and an undercut shellholding slot therebeneath; a wad guiding die comprising a tubularbodyhaving its lower end receivable in said socket while enclosing a shellmounted in said slot, and having a locking lug engageable in saidlocking recess upon rotation of the die in the socket, thereby to lockthe die to said shell holder, said die having, above said locking lug, alocking device on its external wall; an upper die holder of tubular formmounted in said sup-- 10 port in coaxial relation to said shell holderand adapted, upon elevation of said carriage, to receive said die, to beengaged by said locking device to limit the elevating movement, and uponrotation of said die to a position for release of its lug from Saidshell holder to interlock with said locking device so as to transfer thedie from said shell holder to the upper die holder, whereby a shellsubsequently seated in said shell holder may be sized by upward movementthereof into the die as carried by said upper die holder; said die beingadapted to enter the lower die holder socket of the shell holder in asubsequent downward movement of the carriage and to be transferred backto the shell holder upon being reversely rotated; and a wad seatingplunger carried by said support in a position for reception into theshell in a subsequent operation in which said die surrounds the shelland guides the wad.

6. In a shell sizing and reloading apparatus, in combination: a pressincluding a base, a column rising from the base, a support carried upthe upper end of the column and overhanging the base, a carriageslidable on the column between the base and the support, and means foractuating the carriage toward and from the support; a combined shellholder and lower die holder mounted on the carriage and having a dieholding socket, an undercut shell holding slot therebeneath, and alocking part; a wad guiding the comprising a tubular body having itslower end receivable in said socket while enclosing a shell mounted insaid slot, and having a locking element interengagea'ble with saidlocking part upon rotation of the die in the socket, whereby to lock thedie to said shell holder, said die having a latching device on its outerwall above said locking element; an upper die holder of tubular formmounted in said support in coaxial relation to said shell holder andadapted to receive said die and said latching device when said carriageis elevated, said upper die holder having latching means adapted toengage said latching device during said carriage elevating movement and,upon rotation of said die to a position for release of its lockingelement from said shell holder, to interlock with said latching means soas to transfer the die from said shell holder to the upper die holder,whereby a shell subsequently seated in said shell holder may be sized byupward move ment thereof into the die and carried by said upper dieholder; said die being adapted to enter the lower die holder socket ofthe shell holder in a subsequent downward movement of the carriage andto be transferred back to the shell holder upon being reversely rotated;and a wad seating plunger carried by said support in a position forreception into the shell in a subsequent operation in which said diesurrounds the shell and guides the wad.

7. In a shell sizing and reloading apparatus, in combination: a pressincluding a base, a column rising from the base, a support carried bythe upper end of the column and overhanging the base, a carriageslidable on the column between the base and the support, and means foractuating the carriage toward and from the support; a combined shellholder and lower die holder mounted on the carriage and having a dieholding socket, an undercut shell holding slot therebeneath, and alocking part; a wad guiding die comprising a tubular body having itslower end receivable in said socket while enclosing a shell mounted insaid slot, and having a locking element interengageable with saidlocking part upon rotation of the die in the socket, whereby to lock thedie to said shell holder, said die having a latching device on its outerwall above said locking element; an upper die holder mounted on saidsupport in coaxial relation to said shell holder and having at its lowerend means for telescopic interengagement with said die when saidcarriage is elevated, and having means adjacent said lower end forinterengagement with said latching device of the die upon rotation ofthe die to a position for release of its locking element asides-4* IIfrom said shell holder, whereby to transfer the die from said shellholder to the upper die holder and to secure it to the latter in coaxialrelation to said shell holder so that a shell subsequently seated insaid shell holder may be sized by upward movement thereof into the dieas carried by said upper die holder; said die being adapted to enter thelower die holder socket of the shell holder in a subsequent downwardmovement of the carriage, to be transferred back to the shell holderupon being reversely rotated; and a wad seating plunger carried by saidsupport in a position for reception into the shell in a subsequentoperation in which said die surrounds the,

shell and guides the wad.

3. A reloading apparatus as definedin claim 7, operable for a decappingoperation: wherein said wad seating plunger is tubular, and including adecapping plunger telescoped Within said wad seating plunger andretractable therein to an inoperative position from an operativeposition projecting below the lower end thereof.

9. A reloading apparatus as defined, in claim 8, operable for arepriming operation: including a repriming tool carried by said basebelow said carriage, coaxial with said shell holder, and operable uponlowering the carriage, to insert a primer cap into the bottom of a shellsupported in the carriage.

10. A reloading apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said shellholder has a mouth opening from said socket and slot through its lateralwall, to accommodate horizontal insertion and removal of shell and die.

11. in a shell reloading apparatus, in combination: a supportingstructure comprising a vertical guide member and a support at the upperend thereof; a carriage mounted on said vertical guide member forvertically sliding movement; means for moving said carriage on saidguide member toward and from said support; a combined shell holder andlower die holder mounted on the carriage and having a die holding socketand an undercut shell holding slot therebeneath; a combined sizing andwad guiding die comprising a tubular body having its lower endreceivable in said socket while enclosing a shell mounted in said slot;co-acting locking means on said lower die holder and said dierespectively for securing the die to the holder; an upper die holdermounted on said support in coaxial relation to said lower die holder andhaving at its lower end, means for interengagernent with said die incoaxial relation thereto when the carriage is elevated; co-actinglatching means on said die and upper die, holder respectively forsecuring said die to said upper die holder; common actuator means forsimultaneously releasing said locking means and engaging said latching ileans when said interengagement of the die with the upper die holder hasbeen effected, whereby to transfer the die from said lower die holder tothe upper die holder and to secure it to the latter in coaxial relationto said slot, so that a shell subsequently seated therein may be sizedby upward movement thereof into the die as carried by said upper dieholder, said die being adapted to enter the lower die holder socket in asubsequent downward movement of the carriage and to be transferred backto said lower die holder upon reverse operation of said actuator means;and a wad seating plunger carried by said support in a position forreception into the shell, in a subsequent operation in which said diesurrounds the shell and guides the wad as the carriage is moved upwardlyto present the shell to said plunger.

12. in a shell reloading apparatus, in combination: a supportingstructure including a vertical guide member and a support at the upperend thereof; a carriage mounted on said vertical guide member forvertically sliding movement; means for moving said carriage verticallytoward and from said support; a combined shell holder and lower dieholder mounted on the carriage and having a die holding socket and anundercut shell holding slot therebeneath; a combined sizing and wadguiding die comprising a tubular body having its lower end receivable insaid socket while enclosing a shell'mounted in said. slot; co-actinglocking means on said die and lower die holder respectively for securingthem together; an upper die holder mounted on said upper support incoaxial relation to said lower die holder, having at its lower end,means for tel; escopic interengagement with said die in coaxial relationthereto when the carriage is elevated; coacting latching means on saiddie and upper die holder respectively for securing said die to saidupper die holder; actuator means for releasing said locking means andfor engaging said, latching means when said telescopic interengagementof the die with the upper die holder has been effected, whereby totransfer the die from said lower to said upper die holder, so that ashell subsequently seated in said shell holder slot may be sized byupward movement thereof into the die as carried by said upper dieholder; Said, die

eing adapted to enter the socket of the lower die holder in a subsequentdownward movement of the carriage and to be transferred back to saidlower die holder uponreverse operation of said actuator means; and a wadseating plunger carried by said support in a position for reception intothe shell in a subsequent operation in which said lower die holdersupports the shell and said die while moving them upwardly to effectreception of the plunger in the shell, with the die surrounding theshell and guiding the wad.

13. In a shell reloading apparatus, in combination: a. supportingstructure including a vertical guide member and a support at the upperend thereof; a carriage mounted, on said vertical guide member forverticallly sliding movement; means for moving said carriage verticallytoward. and away from said support; a combined shell holder and lowerdie holder mounted on the carriage and having a diev holding socket andan undercut shell holding slot therebeneath; a combined sizing and wadguiding die comprising a tubular body having its lower end receivablevin said socket while enclosing a shell mounted in said slot; an upperdie holder mounted on said support in 00,- axial relation to said lowerdie holder; means for selectively attaching said die to either saidupper die holder or said lower die holder; said upper die holderembodying a slide bearing at its upper end; a tubular wad seatingplunger slidably mounted in said bearing in a position for receptioninto the shell in an operation in which saiddie surrounds the shell andguides the wad while both the shell and die are carried upwardly by saidcarriage;

a decapping rod extending axially through; said plunger for shiftingmovement between a positionprojecting from the lower end of the plungerfor a decapping voperation, performed by an upward movement of thecarriage in. which an empty shell is forced upwardly against a projecting end of said rod and a position retracted into the plunger to providea wad-seating face on the lower end of the plunger, used in a subsequentupward movement of the carriage carrying the die and shell upwardly toreceive the plunger in the shell, with the die surrounding the shell toguide the wad into the shell; means for locking said rod selectively ineither said retracted or said projected position and for shifting itbetween said positions; yielding means acting downwardly against saidplunger; and means carried by said die holder and loading said yieldingmeans to cause the latter to apply a yielding Wad-seating force againstthe wad.

14. In a shell reloading apparatus, in combination: a supportingstructure comprising a vertical guide member and a support at the upperend thereof; a carriage mounted on said vertical guide member forvertically sliding movement; a combined shell holder and die holdermounted on the carriage and having a die holding socket and an undercutshell holding slot therebeneath; means for moving said carriagevertically toward and from saicl support; a wad guiding die comprising atubular body having its lower end receivablein said socket whileenclosing a shell mounted in said slot; coacting locking means; on saiddie holder and said die respectively forsecuringvthe;

die to the holder; a slide bearing carried by said support; a tubularwad seating plunger slidably mounted in said bearing in a position forreception into the shell in an operation in which said die surrounds theshell and guides the wad while both the shell and die are carriedupwardly by said carriage; a decapping rod extending axially throughsaid plunger for shifting movement between a position projecting fromthe lower end of the plunger for a decapping operation performed by anupward movement of the carriage in which an empty shell is forcedupwardly against a projecting end of said rod, and a position retractedinto the plunger to provide a wad-seating face on the lower end of theplunger, used in a subsequent upward movement of the carriage carryingthe die and shell upwardly to receive the plunger in the shell, with thedie surrounding the shell to guide the wad into the shell; means forlocking said rod selectively in either said retracted or said projectedposition and for shifting it between said positions; yielding meansacting downwardly against said plunger; said yielding means comprising acoil spring surrounding said plunger, said plunger having an annularflange against which the lower end of said coil spring bears, saidflange seating against the upper end of said upper slide bearing todetermine the limit of downward movement of said plunger; and loadingmeans comprising a barrel attached at its lower end to said slidebearing and extending upwardly around said coil spring and having at itsupper end a head against which the upper end of said coil spring isloaded; a thimble receiving the upper end of said barrel and having atits upper end a head providing a stop to limit receding movement of saidplunger under the upward movement of a loaded shell thereagainst, todetermine a limit of compression of said spring whereat a selectedseating pressure has been applied to the Wad by the plunger; andindicator means on said thimble and barrel respectively for indicatingthe said pressure.

15. In a shell reloading apparatus, in combination: a supportingstructure comprising a vertical guide member and a support at the upperend thereof; a carriage mounted on said vertical guide member forvertically sliding movement; a combined shell holder and die holdermounted on the carriage and having a die holding socket and an undercutshell holding slot therebeneath; means for moving said carriagevertically toward and from said support; a wad guiding die comprising atubular body having its lower end receivable in said socket whileenclosing .a shell mounted in said slot; coacting locking means on saiddie holder and said die respectively for securing the die to the holder;a slide bearing carried by said support; a tubular wad seating plungerslidably mounted in said bearing in a position for reception into theshell in an operation in which said die surrounds the shell and guidesthe Wad while both the shell and die are carried upwardly by saidcarriage; a decapping rod extending axially through said plunger forshifting movement between a position projecting from the lower end ofthe plunger for a decapping operation performed by an upward movement ofthe carriage in which an empty shell is forced upwardly against aprojecting end of said rod and a position retracted into the plunger toprovide a wad-seating face on the lower end of the plunger, used in asubsequent upward movement of the carriage carrying the die and shellupwardly to receive the plunger in the shell, with the die surroundingthe shell to guide the wad into the shell; means for locking said rodselectively in either said retracted or said projected position and forshifting it between said positions; yielding means acting downwardlyagainst said plunger; and means carried by said bearing and loading saidyielding means to cause the latter to apply a yielding wad-seating forceagainst the wad; said decapping rod locking means comprising a pinprojecting radially from said decapping rod, a Z-slot in the upper endof said plunger, receiving said pin and having an axially extendingportion in which the pin may move to accommodate the vertical shiftingof the rod, having an upper circumferential recess to receive the pin tosupport the rod in said retracted position, and having a lowercircumferential recess to receive the pin and to lock the rod in saidproject-ing position.

16. In a shell reloading apparatus in combination: a supportingstructure comprising upper and lower supports, disposed one above theother and a vertical member extending between said supports; a carriagemounted on said vertical member for vertically sliding movement; meansfor moving said carriage vertically between said supports; a combinedshell holder and lower die holder mounted on the carriage and having adie holding socket and an undercut shell holding slot therebeneath; acombined sizing and wad guiding die comprising a tubular body having itslower end receivable in said socket while enclosing a shell mounted insaid slot; an upper die holder mounted on said support in coaxialrelation to said lower die holder; means for selectively attaching saiddie to either said upper die holder or said lower die holder, so that ashell subsequently seated in said shell holder slot may be sized byupward movement thereof into the die as carried by said upper dieholder; said die being adapted to enter the socket of the lower d-ieholder in a subsequent downward movement of the carriage and to betransferred back to said lower die holder upon reverse operation of saidactuator means; a wad seating plunger carried by said support in aposition for reception into the shell in a subsequent operation in whichsaid lower die holder supports the shell and said die while moving themupwardly to efiect reception of the plunger in the shell, with the diesurrounding the shell and guiding the wad; and a repriming devicemounted in said lower support, coaxial with said die holders, said lowerdie holder having a passage communicating with the bottom of the shellas mounted in said shell holder slot, whereby to receive the reprimingdevice as the carriage approaches said lower support with the shellholder carrying the shell, thereby to reprime the shell.

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